Talking Banffie and Turra Talk Association announce service will come to an end
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THE Talking Banffie and Turra Talk Association have announced that the charity and the service they provide will come to a close.
The association will not be resuming its weekly recordings of The Banffshrie Journal and The Turriff Advertiser stating that it is "no longer viable to continue" after consulting with both their volunteers and listeners.
A statement from the association said: "This decision has not been an easy one to make and has not been taken lightly.
"We have examined as many ways as possible to keep the association going, but the time has sadly arrived to draw the charity, and the service we provide, to a close.
"Listener numbers have dwindled to a handful and we must acknowledge that with continuing changes to the way people access local news, increasing our listener base is highly improbable.
The association, which has provided the service to the visually impaired community since 1990, added that it has been an "absolute pleasure and a privilege" to have contributed to the lives of their listeners.
"That we have enjoyed such apparent success for this long is testament to a number of factors," the statement said.
"In the first instance, we must note the loyalty of our listeners; as talking newspaper charities around the country have folded one by one, we have managed to maintain a viable listener base for longer than most.
"As an association we must also express our deepest gratitude to our sponsors and all those who have made donations in any form over the years – your generosity has been truly remarkable.
"We could also not have produced the recordings without the permission and kindness of local newspapers, magazines and authors who have allowed us to record their news items and stories."
The association also thanked the dedication of volunteers past and present for keeping the charity going for more than two decades.
"Finally and from the perspective of the committee, we must comment on and sincerely thank all our volunteers past and present; a few of whom have been with the association since day one.
"The loyalty and dedication has been overwhelming, and it has been an honour working with you all."
As part of the process for concluding the association’s affairs an Extraordinary General Meeting will be held in Banff Castle at 7pm on November 4, to be followed by a small social gathering.
Volunteers and sponsors are welcome to attend.
